New Mexicans want safe, trap-free public lands!
Trap Free New Mexico is a coalition of citizens, conservation organizations and animal welfare groups who oppose the cruel, damaging, and dangerous practice of trapping in New Mexico. Under-regulated and outdated, traps put citizens, pets, and non-target species at risk, including the endangered Mexican gray wolf. We seek to ban traps in New Mexico for the sake of public safety and New Mexico’s native wildlife.
Sign the Petition to End Trapping
News & Updates
New Mexico commission approves wildlife trapping changes
ALBUQUERQUE — Trappers now have to complete an education course and new restrictions will be imposed on setting wildlife traps and snares around designated trailheads and on select tracts of public lands in New Mexico under a measure adopted Friday by the State Game...
New Mexico Game Commission adds restrictions on trapping in divided vote
LAS CRUCES — The New Mexico State Game Commission voted 5-2 to extend certain restrictions on trapping during its public meeting in Las Cruces Friday. The change mandates that anyone purchasing a trapping license undergo a mandatory trapping education course that...
New Mexico Game Commission approves trapping, disregarding public opposition
Wolves, pets remain at risk The New Mexico Game Commission approved trapping of bobcats, foxes, and other wildlife throughout the state on January 17. The decision reauthorizes the use of leghold traps, body-crushing traps, and strangulation snares that have killed...
Massachusetts outlaws destructive wildlife killing contests
Regulation abolishes competitive killing of wild animals for prizes and entertainment Boston, MA – A coalition of leading wildlife protection organizations is applauding MassWildlife staff and the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board for their vote today to ban...
Trapping is not wildlife management
Trapping has been touted by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish staff as a “legitimate” and "valuable" wildlife management tool. However, the type and scope of trapping is never specified nor are the reasons stated for its necessity. There are no management plans...
MY VIEW: Trapping will damage tourism
It is hard to believe the state ⏤ always in need of revenue ⏤ is intentionally acting to decrease its most dependable revenue stream: tourism. This is unimaginable; the state is acting to purposely lose residents and tourists by condoning and actively perpetuating...
NM game panel puts black bears at risk
By Jan Hayes, Founder, Sandia Mountain Bear Watch The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has recently released its Final Adopted Bear Rule for the next five years, 2020-24, and the news is not good for New Mexico’s bears or for those of us who had hoped for some...
Don’t Trap, Photograph!
The potential of non-extractive/non–exploitive wildlife viewing and photography are already huge revenue streams in New Mexico. Shooting wildlife with cameras has far more sustainable financial potential than hunting or the egregious trapping—still legal in New...
Speak out to oppose trapping on public lands
New Mexico has a problem with traps on public lands. The ongoing destruction inflicted by hidden, baited, steel jaw traps is well documented. Users of public lands, companion animals and wildlife, including endangered species, continue to suffer the harm inflicted by...
Letter to the Editor: Statewide Traps
This letter was published in the Santa Fe New Mexican on December 10, 2019 New Mexico has a problem with traps on public lands. The ongoing destruction inflicted by hidden, baited, steel jaw traps is well-documented. Public lands users, companion animals and wildlife,...